Birmingham City Football Club (BCFC) has outlined plans for a new stadium and “Sports Quarter” following a land deal, reported to be valued between £2-3 billion when built.
Blues owners Knighthead Capital Management, in the US, just purchased the 48-acre former Wheels site in Bordesley Park, to build the major development.
The Sports Quarter, which will be the new home of BCFC, is set to include a new multi-use stadium, training facilities for both men’s and women’s teams, a new academy, community pitches and commercial space for local businesses.
“The ambition for the Sports Quarter is for it to become a globally recognisable sporting and entertainment location,” wrote the club.
With the former Wheels site acquired, Knighthead, which took over the club in July 2023, said it now has a total land holding in the city of more than 60 acres, excluding St. Andrew’s, the club’s current home less than a mile away.
In September last year, BCFC appointed Mace to take over from Buckingham Group at the St. Andrew’s stadium redevelopment following the collapse of the latter.
Mace was approached for comment on what this news now means for the contractor.
The new development in East Birmingham, led by Knighthead co-CEO and Birmingham City chairman, Tom Wagner, and CEO, Garry Cook, is expected to create more than 3,000 local jobs.
Knighthead aim to leave St. Andrew’s by August 2029, according to the BBC.
“When we invested in Birmingham City, we made it very clear that we had an ambitious vision to transform the experience for our fans and make a positive contribution to the growth and vitality of the city of Birmingham,” said Wagner.
“The acquisition of the former Wheels site is an important next step in making this a reality.
“The plans for the Sports Quarter will bring global interest to our club and to Birmingham as a whole.
“It is going to transform the future of our Men’s, Women’s and Academy teams, and the fortunes of the community that we call home.
“We are excited to collaborate with the fans, the local community, and key partners in Birmingham to deliver on our plans for the Sports Quarter.”
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